The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt speech and debate team finished the 2025-2026 competitive season incredibly strong, winning two national championships. At the American Forensics Association’s National Speech Tournament (AFA-NST), LCC was named tournament co-champion in the community college division alongside Tyler Junior College (Tyler, TX). And less than a week later, at the IPDA National Championship Tournament, LCC was honored as the top community college program in the nation across the entire season.
The Fighting Smelt additionally competed at Phi Rho Pi – the premier national speech and debate championship for community colleges. Among 53 of the top community college programs in the country, LCC took home bronze awards in speech, debate, and the overall team sweepstakes while competing in the largest competitive division.
In addition to these remarkable team honors, several LCC students claimed impressive
individual
awards.
Mara Slabu capped off her legendary competitive season by winning gold in extemporaneous speaking and bronze in IPDA debate and Phi Rho Pi. At IPDA Nationals, she was honored as the tenth-best debater in the country out of over 650 qualifying students.
Covenant Adegbami won three bronze medals at Phi Rho Pi – in prose interpretation, program oral interpretation, and in parliamentary debate with her partner Jared Doherty.
Kamren Mattison is the first LCC student to earn a Phi Rho Pi medal for a platform speech since 2006 with his silver medal finish in informative speaking.
Mercedes Musser was named the second-best speaker in IPDA out of a field of 132 debaters. Musser also won bronze in both impromptu speaking and IPDA debate.
Divaa Nchau and Aiden Tran won silver in parliamentary debate after narrowly losing
their final
round on a split decision.
Seamus Mahoney was awarded the Fish-Nelson award for NFA-LD after being selected by their peers as the competitor who represents the finest qualities of collegiate forensics.
Ethan Cooper, Vickey Chen, Damien Lucero, and Rayelynn Camp also represented the Fighting Smelt at Phi Rho Pi Nationals.
The team was coached by LCC alumna Julia Mitchell and Director of Forensics and Communication Studies Faculty Alex Brehm. The team received judging and mentorship support from alumna Rebecca Pickner and LCC Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alexander Ivory-Brown.
These national tournaments conclude the 2025-2026 speech and debate season for the
Fighting
Smelt. The team expects to be competitive with many students returning for an additional
year at
Lower Columbia College
Contact:
Alex Brehm
Director of Forensics
Communication Studies Instructor
Lower Columbia College
abrehm@lowercolumbia.edu
(360) 442-2670